Guest blogged by Ernest A. Canning
“There is a basic weakness in governments, however massive their armies, however vast their wealth, however they control images and information, because their power depends on the obedience of citizens….When the citizens begin to suspect they have been deceived and withdraw their support, government loses its legitimacy and its power.” – Howard Zinn, A Power Governments Cannot Suppress
With all that talk of “Peace on Earth,” often spelled out in festive shopping mall lights over the Christmas weekend, it seems few actually mean it. But on the presumption that readers of The BRAD BLOG actually do, allow me to note that in my recent editorial, “Beyond Afghanistan”, I argued that there is no legitimate basis for our continued presence in Afghanistan and that the currently planned escalation serves to perpetuate, in the words of Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), a “criminal enterprise.”
While not yet approaching the level of critical mass resistance that will be required to bring our presence in the Afghan quagmire to an end, the “Rethink Afghanistan” petition (video in support thereof at right) calls upon Congress to vote against any bill to fund troop escalation in Afghanistan. It provides an initial step in what I had argued was the right direction. The petition is sponsored by Brave New Foundation, Credo Mobile and True Majority. It was read into the Congressional Record recently by Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL).
The petition bears the names of more than 100,000 citizens. Perhaps if that number swells to 100 million, members of Congress will take seriously the fundamental truth it bears, though those who support the petition would do well to address the difficult questions as to “how” we could safely withdraw our forces in an expeditious fashion through such means as a negotiated ceasefire with the Taliban pending an orderly withdrawal.
‘m astounded that the US can be this stupid. Has no one in government read history?
These decisions are being made on issues that have nothing to do with stabilizing the Afghan government, protecting the US or wiping out the Taliban.
We are supporting a president, Karsi, that is the poster boy for corruption and has little or no support from the Afghan people. There is a motive behind our presences and that motive has to do with money for some select entities ““ because in reality the powers that be don’t give a crap about the welfare of Afghanistan.
Afghanistan was the beginning of the end for the Soviet Union, will we go the same route?